Summary of the NKKP Information Day
New Subprogramme: HIGHLIGHT
This year, in addition to the previous EXCELLENCE, STARTING, ADVANCED, ANN, and SNN subprogrammes, a new opportunity called HIGHLIGHT has been introduced. This subprogramme aims to support Hungarian research groups that continuously perform at an outstanding level in the international scientific community and have secured significant research funding – typically built upon a large-scale project grant (such as a completed ERC or equivalent). The grant ensures the sustainability of their excellent research performance.
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The maximum funding available under the HIGHLIGHT programme is HUF 320 million.
Changes in Other Subprogrammes
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No major modifications have been made to the STARTING, ADVANCED, ANN, and SNN programmes, but the available funding for partnership programmes has increased.
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The EXCELLENCE category has stricter eligibility criteria: “Applicants must have received a decision on their ERC proposal on or after July 1, 2024, stating that their proposal reached the second evaluation stage (or the third stage in the case of Synergy Grants) and was invited for an interview.”
New Opportunity: Optional Budget for Experimental Research
A new feature in this year’s call is the option to include an additional budget for experimental research costs, up to 25% of the total project costs. However, a strong justification is required for this allocation.
Advantage for Projects Involving Young Researchers
Proposals where the principal investigator ensures the participation of a young researcher (PhD or postdoctoral fellow, within 7 years of earning their title) will receive preference in the evaluation.
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A dedicated budget line must be allocated for their inclusion, which cannot be reallocated for other purposes.
Changes in Eligible Costs
A key change is that only employment costs can be accounted for both for the principal investigator and research team members.
Internal Deadlines
Please adhere to the following internal deadlines:
- Submission of the Applicant’s Declaration:
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Deadline: 18 March 2025, 12:00 PM
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Please ensure that questions 4, 13, 16, 17, 18, 22, 28, and 29 are underlined where appropriate.
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The document must be electronically signed or authenticated via the ePapír service before submission.
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This is a mandatory attachment for submitting the application.
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Submission of the Budget Plan:
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Deadline: 18 March 2025, 12:00 PM
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Please complete and submit the budget template we have provided.
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We are available to assist with budget preparation.
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Finalization of Proposals:
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Deadline: 31 March 2025, 10:00 AM
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Please complete and approve your proposal in the EPR system by this date.
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Institutional approval and submission depend on meeting this deadline.
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Essential Steps Before Submission
Before submitting your application, please ensure that you:
✔ Update your profile in the MTMT database.
✔ Verify your personal profile in the EPR system.
✔ Open your application in the system.
Research Plan Requirements
The research plan must be written in English and should not exceed 7 pages.
- Formatting requirements:
- A4 page size
- Times New Roman font
- Minimum 11-point font size
- Single line spacing
- Margins of at least 1.5 cm
A template is provided for reference, but its use is not mandatory.
Consultation and Assistance
We are available to support all applicants in preparing and submitting their proposals.
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Please book a consultation appointment via Microsoft Bookings at the following link:
Consultation Booking
During the consultation, we will:
✔ Discuss project details
✔ Answer your questions
✔ Provide solutions for including researchers in a way that ensures additional compensation for all colleagues.
We strongly encourage you to schedule a consultation to make the most of this opportunity!